How To Prepare for a Storm When You Don’t Have Money to Spare

There are many of ways to prepare for a storm when you don't have money to spare. Believe it or not, there are a lot of local places that offer free supplies. In addition, you can use these tips to prepare with what you already have in your home.

As the most active part of hurricane season approaches, everyone begins to panic. At this time, you may find yourself wondering how to prepare for a storm when you don't have money.

While I always recommend setting up an emergency or disaster fund, I understand that many of us live paycheck to paycheck. So, realistically this just isn't an option.

Furthermore, if you live in a disaster prone area, like Florida, it's vital to have a hurricane kit filled with necessary supplies. This kit should be filled with non perishable items, gallons of water, medication, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. Your kit should have enough to last your family at least a week without power or running water.

In reality, storms often come when we don't have the good fortune of a budget to stock and prepare. For example, many hurricanes love to touch Florida in August; the most inconvenient month of the year. These disastrous storms creep up right after we've spent way too much on summer vacations and back to school shopping.

How To Prepare For a Storm When You Don't Have Money to Spare

The good news is that while everyone is rushing to the store to stock up on basics, you do have plenty of options already in your home to prep for storms. These ideas will help you prepare for the storms even if you don't have the money to stock up on extra supplies.

1. Stash water

One of the most important things to get ahead of the storm is water. This will help your family thrive should the power go out. Keep in mind that the manciple supply could shut down or become compromised from the storm.

When a storm on the horizon, take the time to search around your home for containers to fill with water. This can include everything from reusable water bottles to bottles out of recycling and the cups in your cabinets. No container is off limits. To fill cups and bowls add plastic wrap over the top to protect from dust.

This water will be used for drinking, brushing teeth, and washing.

2. Fill gaps in the freezer

Your freezer will keep your food fresh longer if all gaps are filled in.

To do this, use zip lock bags, old soda bottles, and milk jugs to fill in any space in your freezer. This will protect your food supply and leave you with a fresh supply of water should power stay out long enough for everything to thaw.

If you have enough time, freeze containers and move to the refrigerator to fill in the gaps. Set your refrigerator as cold as it will go to give it a good head start long before the storm arrives.

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3. Pre-cook food

As canned goods and packaged foods are selling out in stores ,you can take advantage of the food you already have in your home.

Baking bread, muffins, cookies, and other snacks before the storm arrives, will guarantee that your family is fed. Not only are baked goods great because they don't need refrigeration, you can use up ingredients such as eggs and milk before it spoils.

Pre-chopping and packaging fresh fruits and veggies is a great way to prep healthy snacks that can be grabbed quickly.

Additionally, you should use any lunchboxes and coolers you already have to fill with snacks. This will limit opening the refrigerator.

4. Cover windows 

If you don't have the budget to board up your windows you may need to take a look at back up options.

In the room, you plan to ride out the storm to protect your family by covering windows with what you have on hand. A great way to protect your family from flying glass is to layer cardboard over the windows. Then, create a security net by nailing a blanket around the edges of the window. Another great option is to block the windows with a mattress to help keep flying objects from getting in.

Additionally, you should choose a room with limited windows that your whole family ride the storm out in.

5. Fill Tub with Water

It's also important to fill your tubs with water before a hurricane approaches. This water will be used for bathing and flushing toilets should you lose power and water.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is to think outside of the box. By learning how to prepare for a storm without money, you'll become more self-sufficient, preventing panic and chaos.

Look at what you already have rather than focusing on what you don't. Before the storm rolls in spend time cleaning your home and washing laundry so you will be more comfortable should be power go out in the storm.

Finally, when you do have a few bucks to spend, begin building a storm kit. You'll thank yourself later.